Looking for answers to life's questions

This month has turned out to be all I had hoped for after my January letdown. My bookcase is plastered with the valentines I received from friends and family. I didn’t get any sent out. Other things called for my attention.

Valentines

As I’ve mentioned, I have been trying to clear clutter and make my space more user friendly. It’s been ongoing since I moved into my house. I have a lot of stuff for creative endeavors.

On Valentines Day I received a special gift. My blogging friend, Alys from Gardening Nirvana came to visit. It was our first meeting and I was looking forward to it as she is dear to my heart. Alys is an advocate for kindness, animals, and an uncluttered life. She has another blog that she rarely posts on entitled Organized at Heart. It’s how she makes her living.

Coming off the airplane I’d recognize her anywhere

Soups all gone Very tired traveler.

I spent many days cleaning and clearing before she arrived as you would guess. There is more company coming next week. I couldn’t think of where to take her to show her around the Portland, Oregon area. So we just let it happen. We had a simple dinner of homemade lentil soup and veggies, The next morning we went to Bob’s Red Mill for breakfast. She buys their products but had no idea of what we would find there. Who knew it would be a huge birthday party for Bob’s 89th birthday with a band for entertainment. We even got a slice of birthday cake and a free cup of oatmeal to take home.

Entertainment getting ready

Bob at 89 stops in every weekend when he’s not working. The oldest working CEO in the country I think.

He looks great at 89. Saying happy birthday.

After breakfast we needed to walk a bit so I took Alys to Fabric Depot. It’s an acre of fabric and notions where you can find anything you can possibly imagine. She did find something that had to come home with her. I left it all there. I shop at home now. The party continued through the afternoon. Back at my house, I had to sit and rest my poor sore foot and Alys started to move like someone had set fire to her. She was everywhere at once. Asking how I felt as we proceeded. She immediately honed into the areas that were causing me the most grief and visualized an immediate solution. I was awestruck!

Right at home

We can make this easily

Watch yourself Vanna

Shelves were emptied and moved and other shelves were emptied and moved and then everything went back together looking like a department store had set up a beautiful display but she didn’t do what I was so afraid an organizer would do. She didn’t suggest I throw things away. I looked at things with different eyes and a lot more left to the thrift store. We found things my daughter wanted to keep with her.

Above the washer has never been so pretty. One day maybe a closing cabinet.

The next day, we had a light breakfast to fortify us for a trek through Powell’s City of Books, occupying an entire city block and housing approximately one million books. We only spent and hour and a half but managed to find things we couldn’t live without.

My sister had to drive us there as it’s out of my safe range. Then we went to have lunch at a nice and noisy restaurant friends of my sister own. We waddled out but stopped at Salt and Straw for our evening dessert to go. My sister drove us by the Rose and Japanese gardens but it was too cold and wet to stop.

Much lighter without the bookcase on top.

This bookshelf was on the kitchen desk.

That rack was originally in the laundry room looking quite ugly. Much better here.

Getting back home, Alys once more became more energized and the next thing I knew three more rooms had their Chi fluffed big time. I hobbled along the best I could but Alys was moving like lightning making changes to make my life so much easier. It’s like she read my mind and saw how I needed things to flow. I’m now able to do my sewing and crafts in a way that brings peace to my soul.

This was next to the desk in the kitchen. An emergency basket on the floor by the back door. I’ll paint this bookcase and the others this summer.

Will be putting a tension rod to cover the detergents.

My daughter came the next morning and was overwhelmed by how well Alys had read my needs and provided them. My daughter has dubbed Alys her new Goddess Hero for making my life so much lighter. She was gleeful as we moved more things around. In Feng Shui, there is a phrase that if you want to change your life, move 27 things. I think big changes are coming now.

Comments on: "An Organizing Goddess" (91)

Oh – this post made me so happy to read! I had a feeling Alys might come through like a Fairy Godmother with an over-active wand and change your life Marlene. Isn’t she amazing! So, do you feel lighter and liberated and ready to go as a result of this movement? It’s a real gift to have the help of someone who knows what to do. It often takes another eye to get me started on my changes – my daughter often provides a solution when I say “I want to….. but don’t know how to do that….” She narrows her eyes and looks at my problem and says something like “How about…..” and then off I go. 🙂 It’s magic!! xoxo

Like I said, even my daughter calls Alys her new Goddess Hero. I just let go of my embarrassment and let her go and she made magic. My sister kept saying to throw it all away. I am happy to give things a new home but not fill the landfill unless there is no purpose left for something. I could not see things the way Alys did. I could never, ever pay her for what she did for me. I will keep the momentum going now but it looks just wonderful now and I’m happy again to let people in the door. Alys is a fairy godmother. How do you thank that kind of action? My daughter wants to do something special for her too.

Alys has been a great teacher to me Marlene over these last years. She has been busy teaching me how to accept her many kindnesses gracefully and gratefully. Do you know, I think the very best possible way to show your appreciation of her magic at your place is to take up the impetus and run with it. Grow the feelings of appreciating her magic and adopt it as your own. Imagine how pleased and proud Alys will feel when you show what you have gained from her brief visit….. Allowing her to plant the impulse to beautify and declutter so that you can tend it is the gift that just keeps on growing…….. It’s a huge compliment to Alys’ intention too. That’s my tuppence worth xoxo

Oh, what a wonderful time you must have had! And what a difference she made in helping organize your home! So happy you both got to meet in person. Enjoy the better flow of energy in your home now AND your company!

I did not expect all that help. I was trying hard to make it look like I didn’t need the help but Alys seemed to tap into my heart and needs rather than what I was trying to hide. So much stuff. We have been following each other’s blog for around 6 years and send e-mail and snail mail to each other along with several others. It’s a community of people that care deeply for one another. It’s just overwhelming and wonderful.

Thank you, Jennie. I do have a wonderful community here on WordPress and I include you among them. We somehow find one another and many of us find we are following the same blogs. I was hoping to entertain her enough so she didn’t have time to work but that didn’t happen. In short order, she had me sorted out. I was seriously impressed.

Isn’t it so true that we somehow find each other? And we often follow the same blogs. You are certainly a dear friend in my blogging community, Marlene. I think it’s impressive that your friend had you all figured out and wanted to step in to help. Just wonderful!

I think what Alys does is not so much intelligent tidying up and putting away, as simply lightening lives. She throws light into dark corners, she enlightens about needs and wants vs keeping ‘just because’, and she certainly lightens the load. I’m very envious of the lovely time you had together, and the lightness that resulted!

I have been sorting and separating for quite some time and with conditions being what they are, I’m quickly letting go of so much more that I will not have time for and things to give away and to go to my children. My daughter was here Saturday and I gave her the dress I made for her to wear for sixth grade graduation. She took many office supplies to work as well. Alys didn’t get rid of anything but made everything work better by shifting shelves around. She has VISION! That’s what I lacked. She can see how to make things better. You would love meeting her as she is the most delightful person.

Thank you, Jan. I don’t know how I got so lucky to make a friend of Alys but I am extremely grateful she wanted to come and visit me. She is even more warm and delightful in person than she is virtually. I’ll keep working on this for quite a while. Thanks for stopping by.

Alys never suggested even once letting go of anything. She just rearranged what I had and made it work better. The sign of a quality organizer. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you find your own Alys. She is a treasure in so many ways.

I smiled the entire time reading this post, Marlene. Everything looks great and what a beautiful friend you have in Alys. I love how our friend Pauline is sprinkled throughout your house, too. As for Powell’s City of Books…I could live there! xo

I’m glad you enjoyed this, Jill. I had to make a longer post than usual to get even a part of it in. Alys is a treasure and she is going to see Pauline again soon. Pauline is another rare treasure but you know that already. As for Powell’s, I think some people do live there. Three or four floors of a city block of books!! New and used with something for everyone including a cafe. There was a time I could drive downtown and would have been there all the time. But my library is full in my own home now so I’m cutting back on buying. Just being there lifts the soul to a whole new level. Wish you could visit. 🙂

I was scared to let anyone help as my sister kept wanting to throw all my fabric and crafts away. She’s not the creative sort. Alys just made everything work more efficiently. Of course, I have been paring down diligently for quite some time already but she is an absolute genius at this! And we worked with what I had not buying anything at all.

PS. Getting back to Valentine’s Day gifts, South Africa had the best one in the entire universe – President Zuma resigned !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh happy happy day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You’d be amazed how many people around the world would also like to see your chap disappear off the face of the earth. We were never sure who to feel more sorry for – us or the USA! I will truly never forget the horror and shock I felt when the news of his win broke. We all deserve better than these hideous, greedy, narcissistic men.

His win sent many of us into a state of shock and depression we were not sure we would come out of. As I look at leaders around the world, there are just too many like him. I don’t understand this. Many of us would like to leave the country but have no way of doing that. My daughter is looking for work elsewhere but I’m quite old and health challenged. Russia, N Korea, China, the Middle East, many African countries all have insane leadership. I don’t know if it will get better or worse but I see a lot of resistance here. We are looking for someone that can’t be bought. Know anyone? Narcissists are very charming and persuasive. Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini, The list goes on and on. History just keeps repeating itself.

Oh! What a wonderful time you two had! So glad she could help you with all your things – I have a friend who reminds me very much of your Alys, a whirlwind of energy and always lending a hand when needed. So great that you´ve met her via WordPress! 🙂

I have found the most wonderful community here on WordPress! And we seem to find each other. I check out blogs that follow her and find more wonderful people to follow and so it goes. By reading comments on a blog I follow, I find the nicest people. She will be off soon to meet other bloggers from all over. Sigh. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.

From what I understand, she had done that as well. She has an innate intuitive ability to hone into what you need and make things work for you. It’s never about what she thinks will look good. I can’t begin to express my gratitude because I never expected this kind of change with just a little shuffling around! Thanks for stopping by, Cathy.

I’m not sure I need an organizer as much as a cleaner! LOL I love what she did to help you out, my friend. Looks amazing! And without throwing a thing out! Truly gifted I say. 🙂 I owe you an email, Marlene. I am so behind in things. Poor excuse too. Have a great day. ❤

Thanks for stopping by, Jackie. I’m thinking of you everyday and hoping things get better. I’m the cleaning person though I do it without chemicals anymore. I think that’s what happened to our lungs as all the women in our family used a lot of chemicals to make sure everything was super clean. At one time my sister was doing it for a living. We are not as good at it anymore as we are old but I’d rather do that then try to figure out where to put stuff. Alys is a visionary. She sees things in her mind and it just happens. Poof. I’m sure I’ll hear from you soon enough. Looked today to see if I had missed a post from you. 😦 Hugs my friend.

I’m smiling and teary and smiling and happy and smiling and wondering how I will board a plane with my enormous head. Marlene, how you spoil me! You are a kind, dear, gracious hostess and friend. I’m so lucky to have had that time with you and hope we can do it again soon. It was relaxing hanging out and talking for hours, sipping your wonderful tea, and really fun playing in your home. That’s what it feels like to me. You have a lovely home, filled with so many of the things that I enjoy too like plants, books, crafts and fabric. It was especially delightful to see the closeness you share with your son and daughter, your niece and your sister. Love abounds. Thanks for sharing your home and your city with me. The time went in a flash. And here is one more for the road (((Marlene)))

Thank you, Alys. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to properly entertain you since I couldn’t drive a lot of places nor have the stamina to keep up with you. I’m in the sewing room now doing an embroidery for another friend who is a little down so I’ll show photos when complete. It’s nice to be able to find things and get to work easily. Trust me, I was not exaggerating about how much you helped me. I would have said more but the post was already longer than normal for me. 🙂 You are always welcome here and my family loves you too. Sending giant squishy hugs.

Thank you, Donnalee. Yes, the workers there each have stock shares and own the company. We have breakfast there quite often and buy a lot of his products. It’s ALWAYS busy but this day was just special.

What a wonderful visit with your friend! Sounds like there was a lot happening that weekend. Bob’s is fantastic! I’ve been buying their products for decades. Powell’s is a real treat too! Plus a reorganized house!! I think you hit the jackpot Marlene! 🎰

It was a crazy week and I could almost not catch my breath. I love breakfast at Bob’s and was so shocked to see a party getting started when we got there! How lucky was that. You will be surprised when you see how lovely things look now. I received a gift card for Christmas for Powell’s and finally got to use it. I don’t get there on my own and that may be a good thing. 🙂 Alys enjoyed it. My sister was her usual good tour guide.

Bob’s is great. I’ve met Bob himself a couple of times. What a great man to turn this place into a worker-owned business. The country needs more people like him. I am glad that things are falling into place for you. 🙋

I’ve seen your comments pop up everywhere I go and decided it was time I stopped in for a visit. It was a wonderful visit and nice to finally give a real hug, not just a virtual one. You get to know the heart of those you read regularly. Alys has a gigantic heart that inspires and loves deeply. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. I’ve read just a bit of yours and will make a return visit soon.

Yes, I am here and there on various blogs and have seen your name too. I am not as regular in my blogging as Alys, and, at the moment, I am feeling my way through the loss of my father so I am even less involved with blogging. Alys’ blog is always a special treat. I can only imagine how lovely she must be in person. 🙂

What a great time you both had! I think Alys is an organizing wizard–I can’t believe what she did with your laundry room! It sounds like you had a good balance of work and fun and I am so envious of the trip to Powell books. Actually, I’m envious of the whole time you had together!

Yes, Alys makes magic. She left me with several good ideas to implement later. Powell’s Books is a place I wish I could afford to spend a lot of time in but my library at home has many books I still want to get read so I have to watch myself. I send many that I have finished to her for her little free library. Alys inspires in so many ways. I do have a guest room here if you ever want to visit, Kerry. 🙂

Oh I am delighted that you and Alys met and well named your organizing Goddess.. Just wonderful energy I feel from her, and I also feel vitality has been injected into your home Marlene.
It sounds as if you two had a wonderful time.. And I am so very impressed with the way Alys has made things so much better for you to manage..
Wonderful pictures and Bob, wow 89 and going strong, just wonderful
That fabric department store too, just amazing.

So happy you had Fun Marlene with your friend.. Wishing you a perfect day and weekend to come.. 😀
Love and HUGS xxx 💖

Thank you so much, Sue. We did have a wonderful time meeting for the first time after all these years. Bob looks better at 89 than I do at 69. ;( He’s the example of a great business model giving ownership of it to the workers there and still an active CEO. His GMO free products and everything natural and healthy have served him well. These products are sold all over the US but going to the restaurant and store just 10 miles from my home makes it extra fun. I think the fabric store has seen better days and is starting to slide so I’m glad Alys got to see it before that happens. It’s getting harder and harder to find good fabric anywhere. It’s like bookstores. Most are online. Sigh. 😦 Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderfilled weekend yourself. We’ve had a week of snow then back to the rain into spring. 🙂 Giant hugs.

I agree, I used to like going to the old second hand book stores and loved browsing but these are now closed and all is on the net.. and I don’t buy on line.
And yes Bobs spirit and aura shines and reflects that which his store is doing.. 😀 you can see that. 🙂

Before my kitchen was remodeled, Alys was in my place and made suggestions and had lots of ideas and I have a nice work station in the kitchen now because I incorporated some of her suggestions. She really is a calming, lovely, grounded person and I do think she might be able to read minds!!

So you have personal experience with her talent and her caring heart. She also listens extremely well. A talent few have anymore. I’m glad she was able to help you before the new work started. Thanks for stopping by and the input.

How lovely to read this post, Marlene! I’m SO glad you had such an amazing visit with Alys. It’s so rare to find help organizing and not hear the suggestion to throw things away. What a treasure she must be! I, like so many others here, do feel a tad envious of that lovely visit, especially the fabric store and Powell’s. I can barely imagine . . . And how nice to read about Bob’s birthday party, too. I’ve bought his products whenever available for decades, too. They are wonderful. And I was especially pleased to see your comment that he gave the company to the workers; I worked for some years in a workers’ co-op and that overlapped with several years as a member of a workers’ co-op whose function is to help people start and grow co-ops. Well over a hundred years’ experience between the other four members! That makes me even more a fan of Bob’s Red Mill!

It encouraged me, just reading how much better your home works with just some shuffling around of things. It’s what I’m looking forward to once I have the chance. Isn’t it nice to be able to sit down and begin work, rather than unpacking, searching, making, then re-packing?

You are such a kind and helpful person yourself and I am glad for you! Alys is, indeed, an Organizing Goddess! And you have slightly altered my mind about organizers in general.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Linne. This was the best visit I’ve ever had with someone I’ve never actually met. Alys has changed my view of organizers as well. Not that I have a problem letting go as so much more is going out but I like taking the time to evaluate where it goes and make the best use of it. I will continue to let things go which lifts my energy each day. I will post all that I accomplished since she left in a couple of weeks. I can’t sing her praises high enough. Bob is a remarkable man who does business with extreme ethics. You can be successful and ethical. He looks really good for his age. Hugs to you, LInne.

Marlene, what a delightful way to start my day. I just loved the pics of you and Alys. It was like being with you in person, and since I’ve long dreamed of taking a “road trip” with Alys to see you, it was like a dream come true! You had me at the soup, books or fabric store, but Bob’s Red Mill was just amazing. My Mama went into her health food business only a few years before Bob started Red Mill, and over the years she carried lots of his products, so I’ve been enjoying his work for a long time now and I had no idea his home was so near yours. It’s always fun to meet the real people behind good companies. So happy you had such a fabulous visit with Alys! She is one in a trillion! Giant celebratory hugs ❤

Yes, Julia, Alys is one in a trillion. I’m just tickled she chose to come visit me. We were both tickled that Bob had his birthday party the morning I was going to take her there! He’s a handsome devil at 89 so obviously hard work is good for him. He has proven that you can have a successful business and be ethical and kind at the same time. I go there on occasion for breakfast and to pick up a few things. They make the best ginger cookies but they only bake them on Thursdays and come out after 1:00 p. m. My son always wanted a late breakfast on Thursdays so we could wait for those cookies. Alys took some great selfies of us. I’m saving them for myself. 🙂 I’ll be over to visit shortly. Behind again. 😦 Hugs.

What an incredible time you had with Alys! I am awed at how well she “read” you and the beautiful things you did together: the fabric store, the book store, and Red Mill. I LOVE their stuff! I have two packs of their flax seeds in my cabinet. lol. I’m also glad that you were able to really connect with each other. That’s what I love about all this blogging: you find people who get you, and who understand your journey (and well…there are some that don’t, but they have their own journeys to pursue, don’t they? lol). Fun photos and it looks like you had an incredible time together. So happy for you! Sending you big healing hugs!

Alys did her own post on this visit and had even better photos. In 2 full days and 2 half days, we accomplished an awful lot. My daughter even wore out before Alys did and I way before. We have “known” each other, virtually for almost the full 6 years that I have been blogging. It was time to meet. She is now visiting with other bloggers we follow. Waiting for photos and more fun tales. Thanks for stopping by, Cynthia.

Thank you, Cynthia. We had been hoping to meet one day and that day finally arrived. We had a lovely visit and was quite eager to put her expertise to work to make my life a lot easier. Thanks for the visit.

That is even more important as we age. It was so nice to get a little help with this from someone who sees it differently. A fresh pair of eyes and younger muscles set it all in motion. Thanks for the visit, Eddie.

First of all how wonderful to have a blogging friend come for a visit but to have her help with organization must have been Incredible! Was this something you had planned in advance I’m guessing? Sometimes having someone else give us a peek through their eyes helps to see what has been right before us all the time. Everything is looking really good. Saw Pauline’s beautiful painting has a new home where it is more easily enjoyed. I recognize that fabric store! Did not know Bob’s Red Mill was up there and I have used a few of his products so found that very interesting. I agree, so many projects put off till summer. I know I am looking forward to Spring!

I was trying to keep Alys busy enjoying herself but she couldn’t resist seeing ways to make things more visually pleasing for me and more efficient. She did look in every closet so it was a tiny bit embarrassing but nothing phased her. She enjoys her work so much. She came basically for a visit but helping was on her agenda. Bob’s Red Mill is a big deal here only about 10 miles from my door. I go over every couple of weeks or so. I wish you were visiting too. But thanks for the virtual visit. I’m ready to get back to work as soon as it warms up and dries out. Huts.

I don’t know!!! Holy cow…Marlene! What an amazing transformation. I can tell that it did much more for you than what meets the eye…I can feel a centeredness…a peace and balance!
So…I’m thinking about moving 27 things!!!
❤

Works every time, Lorrie. I’m a big believer in Feng Shui and flow. If something visual blocks the flow of energy it really slows down the good coming in. Organization is a huge part of Feng Shui. I just couldn’t figure out how to deal with what was disturbing me. Alys unplugged things in just a heartbeat. Yes, it did center me in such a big way. I’m working to catch up here. See you on your side shortly. Hugs.

That’s great, Marlene…I can really feel the shift! Yes…I will need to make one for myself. I love when things are organized…and to be honest…there hasn’t been much of that lately.
Sending good stuff 💜💜

Oh Marlene, just five months moved in and my office/desk is still so disorganised so when I look at your neat and organised space, I feel quite ashamed. I am hoping soon to spend some uninterrupted time to get to it. You have inspired me! And what a wonderful time with your blogging friend. Lovely post and so lovely to spend time with again dear friend ❤

Thank you, Sherri. The organizing is never done but it’s made life so much easier already. She worked in hourly chunks between our coming and going. 🙂 I’m going to keep at it. It took me almost 3 years to get settled here so take your time. Let your home speak to you and tell you what it needs. No one’s business how long it takes anyway. 🙂 Hugs.

I love that: ‘Let your home speak to you and tell you what it needs.’ I’m definitely finding that to be so true Marlene, especially as it is such a different style/set up to our previous home of 10 years, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere my whole life! Ha…too true! It’s my impatience that gets the better of me! lovely chatting Marlene, always such a pleasure to hang out with you. Have a lovely weekend my sweet friend 🙂 Hugs back ❤

Hello Marlene! I’m back from that amazing trip to the Southern Hemisphere, and making some blog visits. I started on your After Alys post and had to search back to find this one. Alys told us about her trip but I loved hearing about it through your eyes and words.
She really is a wonder, isn’t she?
Back to After Alys now …

I knew you were playing catch up, Laurie. That was quite the trip and I enjoyed every single photo you took. I would have loved to hear Alys’ version of that trip. 🙂 She is absolutely a wonder. Thanks for stopping by.

I’m trying to get caught up and was reading everything from newest to oldest so had no idea what you meant about Alys’ visit in your later post. What a great visit! I didn’t know Bob’s had a restaurant but use their products when I can find them and as for the giant bookstore, let’s just say I better stay away. lol.

How wonderful that Alys was able to help you pull things together in a way that works better for you and inspires you when you are home.

I’m one of the “strange” people that don’t have enough stuff to warrant a visit from an organizer and not sure how I would feel about inviting one in if I did. I think if I had so much that I needed it organized I would be too embarrassed to let anyone in to see the things that bothered me. I’m too much of a perfectionist. That said I’m glad you were willing to take a chance and see what could happen. I think the changes are wonderful. That bookcase being on top of your desk would have felt like clutter for me, the move opened up the space and I’m sure you are enjoying your desk and the flow of chi in there.

[…] with me from my visit to Portland earlier this year. My friend, Marlene, took me to an enormous fabric store called Fabric Depot where I bought two yards of this lovely Minky chenille. Marlene even had a generous coupon. […]

To say I’m doing blog catch-up is an understatement! In my search for a link to your blog, Alys’ came up first and I read it. It gave me an immense amount of joy to see that you had united with her and added friends in person to friends online. So. Much. Love. ❤ When I read this post, what most strikes me is that you keep mentioning light, and it seems like you mean it in both the lighter vs. darker way, but also in the less-of-a-burden way. Having your spaces reorganized has clearly improved the negative impact your physical space was inflicting on you. That is the best possible outcome. A woman who does that for a job is clearly making the world a better place.

I needed a break from work and I'm taking another long one, like I did two summers ago. I'm 1 1/2 weeks in, and I can still literally feel myself unwinding. I had a stressful five days with five road trips for a friend, but now I'm truly done with my plans. I keep checking my calendar – multiple times a day – to be sure that nothing is scheduled. Really? Nothing? Nope, nothing. It's strange for me. Unsettling. A friend told me he is sure it's healthy for me. I suspect he's right.